Toy gear



May 3, 1949. lE. w. FARMER TOY GEAR Filed Dec. 20, 1946 1/ llfl mmm! Patented May 3, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

' My invention relates to toy gears and has for an object to provide a sectional gear, the parts of which may be used for a number of different purposes.

An object of the invention resides in providing a mounting in the form of a wheel having a platelike web and to which the elements of the gear may be attached.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the gear with elements, each having two substantially angular edges and a circumferential edge connected therewith and in providing teeth at the circumferential edges of said elements.

A still further object of the invention resides in constructing one of the angular edges longer than the other.

A feature of the invention resides in providing rows of holes spaced equal distances from the angular edges of said elements for the reception of bolts or other fastening means for attaching the elements to the mounting.

An object of the invention resides in providing a hole at the corner formed between the angular edges of each gear element and common to both rows of holes.

Another object of the invention resides in arranging the elements upon the mounting in a manner such as to leave an opening therebetweenat the center of the gear and through which a bushing carried by the mounting or the supporting shaft may extend.

' A still further object of the invention resides in providing a notch in each element for attaching a chain thereto.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a gear illustrating an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting used with the invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the gear elements used with the invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a toy turning bar illustrating another use of one of the gear elements of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a span of a toy Y draw-bridge illustrating still another use of a gear element of the invention. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modification of the invention.

My invention comprises primarily a number of gear elements indicated at III, II, I2 and I3 in Fig. l, which are attached to a mounting I5. These parts will now be described vin detail.

The mounting I5 is constructed from sheet metal being formed with a planiform disc-like web I 8 from which a flange I1 issues. The flange I1 is disposed at the outer periphery of the web I6. At the center of the web I 6 is mounted a hub I 8 which is formed with a bore I 9 extending through said hub and web. This bore is adapted to receive a shaft on which the gear is t-o be mounted and is adapted to be held attached to said shaft by means of a set screw 2| screwed into the hub I8. The mounting I5, in addition to serving as 'a support for the gear elements, is shaped so as to form a wheel which may be used for various purposes in the construction of mechanical toys.

'Ihe web I6 of mounting I5 is formed with a number of radial slots 22. These slots are of appreciable length and extend to within a short distance of the hub I8 and the flange I1. In addition to these slots, other and shorter slots 23 are employed which are disposed intermediate the slots 22 and which extend from adjacent the iiange Il toward the hub I8. These slots, however, fall short of the said hub. In a radial alignment with the slots 23 are formed holes 24 which are disposed near the hub I8. In addition, other holes 25 are employed which are spaced near the flange I1 and are arranged the same distance from the slots 22 as the holes 24.

Inasmuch as all of the gear elements I0, I I, I2 and I 3 are identical in construction, only the gear element I6 has been shown in detail and will be described. This gear element is shown in Fig. 3 and is constructed from sheet metal and is formed with two substantially angularly extending edges 26 and 21 and a circumferential extending edge 28 connecting the two edges 26 and 21. Along the edge 23 are formed a number of gear teeth 29. The edge 21 is somewhat longer than the edge 26 so that the center oi the circumferential edge 28 falls outwardly beyond the edge 21 and inwardly `of the edge 26. Along the edges 26 and 21 of the gear element II) are formed two rows of holes 3l and 32. These holes are the same distance from the edges 26 and 21 and include a hole 33 which is common to both rows and which is disposed. at the corner 34 formed between the edges 26 and 21. The holes 3l and 32 are spaced the same distance apart. The gear elementsl III, II, I2 and I3 are adapted to be arranged' upon the mounting I5 as shown in Fig. 1. When so disposed, the holes 32 and 33 register with the holes 24 and the slots 23. Also, the holes 3| register with the slots 22 and holes 25. By the use of bolts extending through these various holes and slots, the elements may be bolted to the web I6 of the mounting l5. It will be observed that the various holes and slots are so arranged that the circumferential edges 28 of the various gear elements form a circle concentric with the axis of the bore i9 of hub i8 and so that an opening 36 is formed between the various edges 21 of the said elements and through which the hub |8 extends. The teeth 29 of the elements are so arranged that the same are continuous throughout the gear when the elements are disposed as shown in Fig. 1. When the parts are so assembled, a complete gear is formed which may be V'used @for numerous purposes in the building of construction toys.

The gear elements of my invention are preferably constructed with their angular edges at right angles to one another as shown in the drawings. Wfhenfso formed, thesaidelements may :also serve as gusset plates for attaching various structural members together. In Fig. 4, a toy turning lbar has been shown which comprises a fbase 4| chanlnel-shaped in form and having a web 42 and lflanges 43 and 44 depending therefrom. These flanges are formed with holes 45 vspaced the same distance apart as the holes 3|, 32 and 33 of the gearelements of the invention. The said turning bar includes two uprights -46 which overlie the flanges 43 and 44. These uprights have holes 41 formed in the same, the uppermostof which receives a bar 48. In supporting the-uprights 46, tWogear elements 49 `are employed which are identical with the gear element IU. These gear elements-are disposed between the flanges 43 and 44 of the base 4| and the uprights 46. Bolts 5| extend through the holes 3| in the elements `49 andthe registering Aholes 41 in the said Auprights @ther bolts 52 extend through the holes 32 in the gear elements 49v and through the corresponding holes 45 of the flanges 43 and 44. Other Vbolts 53 A'extend jointly through the uprights 46, the holes 33 in the gear elements 49 .and also through certain ofthe holes 45 in the flanges 43 and 44 ofthe base-4 In this manner, the gear elements are used to brace the uprights 46 so that `the same will be held in proper position.

'One of the gear elements of my invention -may alsobe used asa section of agear. In'Fig. 5,v I have shown a span 55 of a `draw-bride@ which includes two spaced frames 95 and |95. Frame 95 comprises a horizontal frame memberV 56, a vertical frame member 51 and a diagonal fratrie member 5B. Frame |95 comprises .a horizontal framemember |56, a vertical frame member |51 and a, diagonal frame-member |53. These frames areconnected together by bolts 59 and |59 .which extend through said framemembersandthrough spacers 95 and 91 disposed at the outer corners ofthe two frames. The said frame members at their bases straddle a base having a web 98 and flanges 99 depending therefrom. These flanges are formed with spaced holes similar tothe holes 45 in base 4|. A shaft 6| extends through the members 56, 51,156, I51-and through the fend holes |96 in the flanges 98 and .99 ofibase 65. Thisshait forms a pivot vfor supporting `the span55 for swinging movement.

`A`One of the gear elements ofthe invention, which is indicated at 62 in Fig. 5, is attached to themembers 56 and 51 offframe-95 by means of .bolts A|53. These bolts extend throughthe fholes 3|and1'32-of the gear elements and alsoi'through certain of the holes 64 in the members 56 and 51. Suitable spacers 10 are placed between the gear element 62 and members 56 and 51. The base 55 has attached to it, by means of bolts 66, two uprights 61 and |61 which rotatably support a shaft 68. Said shaft has formed on it, a crank 69. Mounted on the shaft 68 is a sprocket wheel 1 A chain 12 is attached to both the gear element 62 and to the sprocket 1|. This is accomplished by forming the .said gear element and sprocket with notches 12 and 13 'into which the .last links of the chain are hooked. When the crank 69 is turned, the chain 12 causes the gear Velement 62 to rotate about the shaft 6| and to raise the span 55 of the draw-bridge. It will be noted that thegear element 62 is mounted so that the long edge 21.0f` the same is disposed vertically. This gives the greatest leverage on the said element lthrough the chain 12 when the crank 69 is first operated. In this manner, the draw-bridge is veasily raised and-fin addition, :travels slowly at the beginning of `its movement.

In Fig. 6, I have shown `a,modification-:fof#the invention. In this device, a mounting Bl V:iswemployed which is similar tothe mounting '1|f5. This mounting yhas attached. to it, four gear elements 82, 83, 84 and' 65. Allzof.thesegearelements/Lane identical in construction and only fthe-gear element 82 will -be ydescribed ein detail. r'Flfhis .element has ya circumferential. edge 86 vvand itwo .radial edgesl and 88. The edgesl `and 88,.if extended, intersect theV axislof the hub y'|56 ofthe mounting 8|. The lapex of :the element sformed between the edges 81 and 88 is cut away as indicated :at al so, that ywhen :the :various velements are .assembled, Y an opening.v 92 is iformed .t'herebe,tween,:and through which the hub 39 extends. 'The various gear `elements are :attached :to ithe-'mountingkl by means of `bolts "93 which extend :through said elements and through the mounting 8|.

The advantages yof the invention lare manifest. The gear elementsmay be :assembled `to form .a fairly largeV gear. These elements lmay 'also-.be used separately for various other usessuchfas gusset gplates, quadrants and .gear segments. "The parts are extremely inexpensive to fabricatevand are easily and quickly yused :for the lintendedpurposes.

Changes v'in the specific form .of 'my invention, as herein described, may lhe made within the scope of what is claimed A,without departing from lthe spirit of my invention.

Havingdescribed fmy invention, what lI lclaim as new'and desire toprotect byJLettersPaten't; is:

l. A gear comprising a mounting, -a `plurality of lgear elements, vattached :to .saidniountingpsaid `elements each having two fangularly. .disposed edges, one y.longer vthan .the other, .and a loircumferential edge connecting v'the angular .edges and teeth formed on said circumferential edges, saidelementsbeing arranged on said ,mounting with the short edgel kOf-Onefelement disposed :ad- 'jacentcthe longfedge ofthe adjacent ,elementito leave an opening at thecenterfof fthe. assembly of :elements and :with vthe circumferential `,edges arranged in the form of afcircle, said mounting having a'holeatheiein'at the-center'of saidcircle and atuthe-locality of saidopening.

2. A gear comprising afmountingfa plurality of gear'zelements: attached tosaidffmounting, said elements each having two fangularly Vdisposed edges, one longer than theother, :and-a .circumferential edge connecting the :radial edges,.:,teeth formed on said circumferentialwedges,ssaid Lele- `men-ts .bei-ng arranged on: saidnnountingiWithtthe short edge of one element disposed adjacent the long edge of the adjacent element to leave an opening at the center of the assembly of elements and with the circumferential edges arranged in the form of a circle, and a hub attached to said mounting at the center of said circle and extending through said opening.

3. A gear element comprising a plate-like structure having two edges disposed at right angles to one another, and a circumferential edge connecting said first named edges, one of said rst named edges being longerl than the other, teeth formed on said circumferential edge for engagement with a chain and a notch in one of said rst named edges for the reception of the end of the chain to secure the same to said element.

4. A gear element comprising a plate-like structure having two edges disposed at right angles to one another, and a circumferential edge connecting said radial edges, teeth formed on said circumferential edge and a row of holes formed along each of said first named edges and the same distance therefrom, said holes being spaced from one another the same distance, there being one hole common to both rows and located at the corner between said first named edges.

CII

5. A gear comprising a mounting, a plurality of gear elements attached to said mounting, said elements each having two angularly disposed edges, one longer than the other, and a circumferential edge connecting the angular edges with teeth formed on said circumferential edge, said elements being arranged on said mounting with the short edge of one element disposed adjacent the long edge of the adjacent element and with the long edges tangent t-o a circle concentric with the axis of said gear and with the circumferential edges arranged in the form of a circle.

EARL WESTON FARMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 554,234 Brill Feb. 11, 1896 1,041,448 Dougherty Oct. 15, 1912 1,599,464 Flynn Dec. 19, 1925 1,777,667 Gilbert Oct. 7, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 10,684 Great Britain May 9, 1891 289,855 Great Britain Oct. 4, 1928 

